Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old climate activist, was awarded the 2019 “Person of the Year” by Time magazine, making her the youngest winner ever of the award.
“We can’t just continue living as if there was no tomorrow, because there is a tomorrow,” Thunberg told Time in an interview Wednesday. “That is all we are saying.”
The magazine described her as beginning “a global movement by skipping school” and announced its decision to bestow the honor upon her during Tuesday morning’s Today show.
“She became the biggest voice on the biggest issue facing the planet this year.” TIME Editor-in-Chief @efelsenthal talks about why TIME chose @GretaThunberg to be Person of the Year.
Thunberg, 16, is also the youngest person to ever receive the honor. pic.twitter.com/eTvLAiRtFW
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 11, 2019
After prompting climate change student protests across the world, the activist went on to sit outside of the Swedish Parliament to protest the issue. She also sailed to the United States this year to lead more protests.
President Trump, who was also a nominee for the “Person of the Year” award, said earlier this year that Thunberg has a “bright and wonderful future.” The two previously went viral in a video that caught the youth staring at the president at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Thunberg has continued skipping school while she protests and gives speeches around the world. She most recently addressed a U.N. climate conference in Madrid.
“Well I am telling you there is hope. I have seen it.
But it does not come from governments or corporations.
It comes from the people.”Here’s a small part from my speech today at the #cop25 in Madrid. pic.twitter.com/Dg8pz969yS
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) December 11, 2019
